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1.
Aristolochia macrophylla (Lam.) is a major host of the pipevine swallowtail butterfly,Battus philenor (L.), in the eastern United States. The female butterflies use a synergistic mixture of inositols, acids and a lipid as oviposition cues in recognizing this plant on contact. The acids and lipid, all isolated from the Et2O-CHCl3 fraction of an alcoholic extract of fresh foliage, were identified as aristolochic acid I (1), aristolochic acid II (2) and 1,2-[di(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadeca-9, 12, 15-trienoyl]-3-galactosyl-sn-glycerol (3). Identifications were facilitated by UV, MS (EI and FAB) and NMR (1D and 2D) spectral techniques and by analysis of the hydrolysis products of 3. The active inositols were identified as D-(+)-pinitol, reported previously, and sequoyitol. Though this is apparently the first report of oviposition responses to a diacyl glycerol glycoside by a phytophagous insect, responses to aristolochic acids and sequoyitol have been reported previously for anAristolochia-feeding swallowtail of a different genus in Japan. This indicates substantial evolutionary conservatism in chemical oviposition cues within the tribe Troidini. 相似文献
2.
Summary. Larvae of Chrysomela leaf beetles release for defence volatile compounds belonging to various chemical families. This study focuses on the defensive strategy based on the esterification of isobutyric acid and 2-methylbutyric acid with a wide variety of alcohols taken up from the host plant. To date, only two species are known to produce these repellents C. interrupta, which is associated with Betulaceae and C. lapponica which occurs either on Betulaceae or Salicaceae.? In order to know if other species have developed this chemical defence and how the food plant influences the secretion of these toxins, we targeted by mass spectrometry the presence of iso- and 2-methylbutyric acids and esters of them in the defensive secretions of Chrysomela larvae exclusively associated with Betulaceae or Salicaceae. ?Screening analyses reveal that the synthesis of these compounds is a common character restricted to all the members belonging to the C. interrupta group sensu Brown (1956) regardless of the host-plant family. These results suggest that the biochemical mechanism leading to the synthesis of these compounds could be considered as a synapomorphy meaning that the group is probably monophyletic. ?Defensive secretions of the members of the interrupta group are quantitatively assayed for iso- and 2-methylbutyric acids and their (Z)-3-hexenyl esters. Results reveal a chemical plasticity developed by Chrysomela species associated with Salicaceae. The amounts of iso- and 2-methylbutyric acids derivatives and of salicylaldehyde in their larval secretions depend on the food plant and on its content in phenolglucosides. Received 5 October 1998; accepted 25 November 1998. 相似文献
3.
Keiichi Honda Hiroshi Minematsu Ken’ichiro Muta Hisashi ?mura Wataru Nishii 《Chemoecology》2012,22(1):55-63
The sulfur butterfly, Colias erate, utilizes various legumes as host plants. We examined the chemical constituents of its primary host plant, Trifolium repens (white clover), to identify phytochemicals inducing oviposition by C. erate females. Since one of the four aqueous subfractions prepared from a methanolic extract of the plant has previously been shown
to be the most responsible for the oviposition-stimulatory activity exerted by the plant, chemical analyses were conducted
of the fraction concerned. Activity-directed fractionation of the subfraction by ion-exchange chromatography revealed that
the key substance(s) resided in the neutral fraction. Preparative TLC of the neutral fraction and subsequent spectral analyses
identified d-(+)-pinitol, glycerin, methyl β-d-glucoside, and myo-inositol as characteristic components together with ubiquitous sugars (e.g., sucrose and glucose). Of these, only pinitol
singly evoked significant oviposition responses at concentrations over 0.05%. In dual-choice bioassays, however, females laid
significantly more eggs on pinitol solutions admixed with glycerin or methyl β-d-glucoside than on pinitol alone. Two cyanoglucosides, linamarin, and lotaustralin, occurring in the other aqueous subfractions,
also synergistically increased the oviposition response in combination with pinitol. The results clearly indicated that pinitol
is a crucial oviposition stimulant involved in host recognition, while glycerin, methyl β-d-glucoside, linamarin, and lotaustralin function as synergists. We further examined the oviposition responses of C. erate females to aqueous fractions, along with their chemical compositions, that had been prepared from five other host plants
and a non-host plant, Aristolochia debilis (Aristolochiaceae), on which oviposition occasionally took place in an outdoor cage during the experiments.
The plant species accepted by ovipositing females were all found to contain pinitol in amounts enough to induce egg laying
by the butterfly, thus leading to the conclusion that pinitol serves as the essential mediator in recognizing and accepting
potential host plants. 相似文献
4.
Summary. The ability to perceive and respond to phytochemicals that reliably indicate poor suitability of a potential host plant confers
a selective advantage to ovipositing female swallowtail butterflies. Papilio glaucus females are generalists that nonetheless do not oviposit on red bay (Persea borbonia: Lauraceae). Red bay is toxic to P. glaucus neonates but is commonly found in habitats alongside their principal host plant, Magnolia virginiana, in central Florida. The hypothesis that deterrent compounds present in the leaves of red bay mediate its rejection by P. glaucus was evaluated in our study. Florida populations of P. glaucus did not oviposit on host leaves sprayed with the methanol extract of red bay foliage, although they accepted solvent-treated
and untreated tulip tree leaves in 3 choice bioassays. Additionally, tulip tree leaves sprayed with methanolic extracts of
red bay also deterred oviposition by P. glaucus females from Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, although these populations do
not naturally encounter red bay. Clearly, deterrent compounds found within this non-host are the basis of its rejection by
populations of P. glaucus and such recognition is fundamental to the species, not just a reflection of local adaptations.
Received 2 April 1999; accepted 11 June 1999. 相似文献
5.
Summary. In the natural habitat of Papilio polytes, a
Rutaceae feeder utilizing Toddalia asiatica as a major host plant, some other rutaceous plants such as
Murraya paniculata
(abundant) and Glycosmis citrifolia (relatively rare)
occur sympatrically as potential hosts. Whereas
G. citrifolia
is occasionally infested in the field, M. paniculata
remains entirely unexploited by the butterfly. We thus examined the
phytochemical mechanisms that can explain the differential
acceptance of the two plants by ovipositing females of
P. polytes. The foliage of
G. citrifolia was found to readily
induce oviposition and females deposited eggs in response
to a methanolic extract of the plant. Stimulatory activity-directed
fractionation of the extract revealed the presence of
two characteristic compounds, trans-4-hydroxy-N-methylproline
and 2-C-methylerythronic acid, known to serve as
oviposition stimulants for the butterfly. In addition, larvae
performed as well or better onG. citrifolia
as on T. asiatica.
Similar examination of the inhibitory chemical constituents
of M. paniculata led to the isolation of an oviposition deterrent. The compound, identified as trigonelline
(N-methylpyridine-
3-carboxylic acid), exhibited moderate
oviposition deterrency to females. These results combined
with our previous data are in agreement with the observed
differential utilization of the two plants by
P. polytes in the field. 相似文献
6.
Jacques M. Pasteels Arnaud Termonia Donald M. Windsor Ludger Witte Claudine Theuring Thomas Hartmann 《Chemoecology》2001,11(3):113-120
Summary. Field collected exocrine defensive secretions of nine neotropical Platyphora species were analyzed for the presence of plant acquired pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) and pentacyclic triterpene saponins.
All species secrete saponins. In addition, five species feeding on Tournefortia (Boraginaceae), Koanophyllon (Asteraceae, tribe Eupatorieae) and Prestonia (Apocynaceae) were shown to sequester PAs of the lycopsamine type, which are characteristic for species of the three plant
families. The PA sequestering species commonly store intermedine, lycopsamine and their O3′-acetyl or propionyl esters as well as O7- and O9-hydroxyisovaleryl esters of retronecine. The latter as well as the O3′-acyl esters were not found in the beetles’ host plants, suggesting the ability of the beetles to esterify plant derived retronecine
and intermedine or its stereoisomers. Despite the conformity of the beetles’ PA patterns, considerable inconsistencies exist
regarding the PA patterns of the respective host plants. One host plant was devoid of PAs, while another contained only simple
necines. Since the previous history of the field collected beetles was unknown this discrepancy remains obscure. In contrast
to the Palearctic chrysomeline leaf beetles, e.g. some Oreina species which ingest and store PAs as their non-toxic N-oxides, Platyphora leaf beetles absorb and store PAs as the toxic free base (tertiary PA), but apparently avoid to accumulate PAs in the haemolymph.
This suggests that Chrysolina and Platyphora leaf beetles developed different lines of adaptations in their parallel evolution of PA mediated chemical defense.
Received 30 November 2000; accepted 5 February 2001 相似文献
7.
Summary. It has long been assumed that the North American pipevine swallowtail, Battus philenor (L.) (Papilionidae, Troidini), is protected from natural enemies by aristolochic acids sequestered from its Aristolochia food plants. This study confirmed that populations of B. philenor from Virginia and east Texas sequester these compounds. A comparison of the aristolochic acid profiles of the Virginia butterflies
and their A. macrophylla food plants revealed several differences. The aristolochic acid fraction of the foliage was dominated by aristolochic acids
I and II, whereas the insects had a much lower proportion of aristolochic acid II and contained, in addition, substantial
amounts of aristolochic acids Ia and IVa, which were not detected in the plants. The eggs, larval integument, osmeterial glands,
pupal cuticle, and adults (wings and bodies) all contained aristolochic acids. These findings help explain the abundant ecological
data indicating that both immature and adult B. philenor are unpalatable and protected from natural enemies.
Received 7 April 2000; accepted 31 May 2000 相似文献
8.
Summary. Analysis of South-East Asian troidine swallowtails revealed high variability in the content of aristolochic acids among individuals.
The presence or absence of these compounds depends on the Aristolochia species available as food plant for the larvae. Only one plant species (Aristolochia philippinensis) contained a high concentration of aristolochic acids, while other species from various localities contained none or only
marginal amounts. Whether aristolochic acids have a distinct function in chemical defense of these swallowtails is still an
open question.
Received 11 December 2000; accepted 4 August 2001. 相似文献
9.
Letizia Mattiacci Sara Rudelli Bettina Ambühl Rocca Sem Genini Silvia Dorn 《Chemoecology》2001,11(4):167-173
Summary. Plant responses to herbivory might directly affect the herbivore (“direct” defences) or might benefit the plant by promoting
the effectiveness of natural antagonists of the herbivores (“indirect” defences). Brussels sprouts attacked by Pieris brassicae larvae release volatiles that attract a natural antagonist of the herbivores, the parasitoid Cotesia glomerata, to the damaged plant. In a previous study, we observed that feeding by caterpillars on the lower leaves of the plant triggers
the systemic release of volatiles detectable by the parasitoids from upper leaves of the same plant.?The role of these systemically
induced volatiles as indirect defence and the dynamics of their emission were investigated in wind-tunnel dual choice tests
with C. glomerata. The systemically induced emission of volatiles varied depending on leaf age and on plant age. Systemic induction affected
parasitoid effectiveness, as induced plants could be more easily located by parasitoids than non-induced ones.?The role of
the systemic induction as a direct defence was investigated through behavioural and feeding tests with P. brassicae. In dual choice assays, 1st instar larvae preferred to feed and fed more on systemically induced than on non-induced leaves.
In single choice assays, the leaf area consumed by caterpillars was larger on systemically induced leaves than on non-induced
control leaves. However, caterpillars fed on systemically induced leaves attained the same weight as those feeding on non-induced
controls. In addition, P. brassicae pupae whose larvae were fed on systemically induced leaves had longer developmental times than those of larvae fed on non-induced
leaves. Adult oviposition behavior was not influenced by systemic induction.?We conclude that systemically induced responses
in cabbage might reduce P. brassicae fitness both directly, by affecting their development and feeding behavior and indirectly by making caterpillars and pupae
more vulnerable to attack by carnivores. The occurrence of a possible relationship between direct and indirect defence is
discussed.
Received 24 January 2001; accepted 3 May 2001. 相似文献
10.
Summary A number of aposematic butterfly and moth species sequester toxic substances from their host plants. Some of these insects can detect the toxic compounds during food assessment. Some pipevine swallowtails use aristolochic acids among the host finding cues during oviposition and larval feeding and accumulate the toxins in the body tissues throughout all life stages. Likewise, a danaine butterfly,Idea leuconoe, which sequesters high concentrations of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the body, lays eggs in response to the specific alkaloid components contained in the apocynad host. Insect species sharing the same poisonous host plants may differ in the degree of sequestration of toxins. Two closely ralated aposematic geometrid moth species,Arichanna gaschkevitchii andA. melanaria, sequester a series of highly toxic diterpenoids (grayanotoxins) in different degrees, while a cryptic geometrid species,Biston robstus, does not sequester the toxins, illustrating the diversity in adaptation mechanisms even within the same subfamily. By contrast, a number of lepidopteran species store the same compounds though feeding upon taxonomically diverse plant species. A bitter cyanoglycoside, sarmentosin, was characterised from several moth species in the Geometridae, Zygaenidae and Yponomeutidae, and from the apollo butterflies,Parnassius spp. (Papilionidae), although each species feeds on different groups of plants.Interspecific similarities and differences in life history and ecology are discussed in relation to variable characteristics of sequestration of plant compounds among these lepidopteran insects. 相似文献
11.
Summary. Domestic apple (Malus pumila)- and hawthorn (Crataegus sp.)-infesting races of Rhagoletis pomonella, Walsh (Diptera: Tephritidae) provide an excellent model to examine the role that host plant specificity plays during sympatric
speciation (i.e., divergence in the absence of geographic isolation). Previous work has shown that these races differ in their propensities
to accept apple and hawthorn fruits in behavioral choice assays, and that this discrimination translates into "host fidelity"
in the field (i.e., apple flies tend to mate on and oviposit into apples and hawthorn flies on hawthorns). ?We present the results of a study
examining possible physiological factors contributing to host choice differences in R. pomonella. We tested whether apple and hawthorn flies differ in their electroantennogram (EAG) responses to biologically relevant volatile
compounds emitted from apples and hawthorns. Significant differences were found in the relative EAG responses of apple and
hawthorn flies to host fruit compounds at five of six paired study sites across the eastern United States. The geographic
pattern of EAG variation was complex, however, with local populations of apple and hawthorn flies tending to be more similar
to one another than to flies of the same race at distant sites. This pattern was largely due to EAG responses for several
compounds showing longitudinal or latitudinal clines, the latitudinal clines being similar to those observed for allozyme
loci in the host races. We also found evidence for sex-related differences, as males tended to have higher mean EAG responses
to compounds than females. Host-associated differences were therefore nested within geographic and sex-related differentiation
in R. pomonella.?Further behavioral studies are needed to distinguish whether the EAG differences are responsible for, as opposed to being
a consequence of, host-plant fidelity and adaptation. Crosses are also required to establish a genetic basis for the EAG responses,
although we did find significant correlations between EAG scores for several compounds and the allozymes NADH-Diaphorase-2
and Hydroxyacid dehydrogenase at one of the study sites. Questions therefore remain concerning the evolutionary significance
of the EAG response differences between apple and hawthorn fly races. Nevertheless, these differences raise the possibility
that antennal responses to fruit-related volatile compounds contribute to host plant discrimination in R. pomonella. Regardless, the EAG responses represent another set of traits, in addition to diapause/eclosion time phenotypes and allozyme
frequencies, differing between apple and hawthorn host races of R. pomonella.
Received 17 March 1998; accepted 21 September 1989. 相似文献
12.
Summary. We tested the hypothesis that Daphne gnidium is an ancestral host plant of Lobesia botrana. To this end, we studied the oviposition response of this moth to various aerial organs of this plant. Our results show that
females prefer to lay eggs on daphne berries rather than on grapes (cv. chasselas) and that polar surface extracts of daphne
berries and leaves strongly stimulate oviposition in a dosedependant way, whereas flower extracts are weakly stimulant and
branch extracts are inactive or deterrent for oviposition. Furthermore, a total extract of daphne berries stimulates oviposition
in semi-natural conditions when applied onto fresh grapes. Oviposition stimulants from berries were isolated by HPLC coupled
with a dual-choice oviposition bioassay. The ecological value of D. gnidium for L. botrana is discussed and the possible use of oviposition stimulants from daphne, contrasting with the oviposition signal of the cultivated
host plant, is proposed in the perspective of developing behavioural manipulation methods such as stimulo-deterrent diversionary
strategies compatible with IPM programs. 相似文献
13.
Ruurd de Jong Nevile Maher Bruno Patrian Erich St?dler Tammo Winkler 《Chemoecology》2000,10(4):205-209
Summary. Two recently identified compounds ("CIFs"), present on the leaf surface of Brassica oleracea (cabbage), are the strongest oviposition stimulants known for the cabbage root fly, Delia radicum. Cabbage leaves contain these compounds in extremely low concentrations, and the amount of CIFs obtained from purifying leaf
extracts was so small that it limited further research. We were able to purify far more of these two compounds from the roots
of Brassica napus var. napobrassica (rutabaga). Apart from being a richer source of CIFs, rutabaga roots are considerably easier to collect and process than
leaves. In addition, we isolated and identified a new CIF compound from the roots that is also very active in stimulating
oviposition in the cabbage root fly.
Received 26 May 2000; accepted 26 July 2000 相似文献
14.
Peter Roessingh Katja H. Hora S. Ying Fung Anja Peltenburg Steph B. J. Menken 《Chemoecology》2000,10(1):41-47
Summary. The sugar alcohol dulcitol is a strong feeding stimulant for larvae of the small ermine moth Yponomeuta cagnagellus. In this paper we tested the hypothesis that dulcitol also acts as an oviposition stimulant for this species. We found that
the sugar-alcohol dulcitol was present on the surface of the host Euonymus europaeus. We also showed that (as yet unidentified compounds) can be systemically transferred (i.e. by uptake and transport via the
vascular system) from E. europaeus, to the non-host Crataegus monogyna and stimulate oviposition. However, no evidence was found that this stimulatory activity was due to dulcitol. Systemic enrichment
of C. monogyna with dulcitol did not induce oviposition on this plant. Neither was the application of pure dulcitol on artificial twigs
effective. In addition it was shown that when dulcitol was removed from host plant extracts, oviposition stimulatory activity
was retained in the fraction without dulcitol. Synergism between dulcitol and other stimulants could not be demonstrated,
however, high concentrations of dulcitol in combination with the main stimulant(s) showed a trend towards enhanced oviposition.
It is concluded that the sugar alcohol dulcitol can only play a limited role in adult host acceptance behaviour. The hypothesis
that a host shift in the genus Yponomeuta from Celastraceae to Rosaceae might have been facilitated by the presence of small amounts of dulcitol in Rosaceae therefore
needs to be restricted to larval feeding behaviour.
Received 20 August 1999; accepted 6 December 1999 相似文献
15.
Summary. Research on insect migration has justifiably emphasized females – the so-called “oogenesis-flight syndrome”– since it is
the females that place the eggs into new habitats. The large and small milkweed bugs, Oncopeltus fasciatus and Lygaeus kalmii, respectively, have featured prominently in studies of insect migration and sequestration of host plant toxins for chemical
defense. Here we report that males of these species, and males of another well-studied lygaeine (Neacoryphus bicrucis), produce pheromones in glands usually considered to serve only a defensive role in Heteroptera (the metathoracic scent glands),
and that these pheromones are exploited by a tachinid parasitoid as a host-finding kairomone. The pheromones are mixtures
of C6 and C8 saturated and unsaturated esters reminiscent of lepidopteran pheromones, and the key compound of the O. fasciatus pheromone has now been correctly identified as (E)-2,7-octadienyl acetate. It is proposed that the concept of the oogenesis-flight syndrome for these kinds of insects should
accommodate the role of males in the migration process. The hypothesis is presented that male-produced pheromones play a significant
role in guiding colonization of new habitats in many heteropteran species. In addition, data are presented suggesting that
there is a trade-off between the amount of pheromone produced by colonizing males and the host breadth of the species.
Received 21 December 1998; accepted 15 February 1999. 相似文献
16.
Summary. The Na+, K+-ATPase of the Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is insensitive to the inhibition by cardiac glycosides due to an amino acid replacement: histidine instead of asparagine
at position 122 of the α-subunit representing the ouabain binding site. By PCR amplification of the DNA sequence of this site,
a PCR product of 270 bp was obtained from DNA extracted from Danainae species (Danaus plexippus, D. chrysippus, D. gillipus, D. philene, D. genutia, Tirumala hamata, Euploea spp., Parantica weiskei, P. melusine), Sphingidae (Daphnis nerii) and mimics of milkweed butterflies (Hypolimnas missipus, Limenitis archippus and L. arthemis, Nymphalidae). Analysis of the nucleotide sequences revealed that the single point mutation in the ouabain binding domain
(AAC-Asn for CAC-His) was present only in Danaus plexippus, but not in the other species investigated. Since these milkweed butterflies also store cardenolides, other structural modifications
of the Na+, K+-ATPase may have occurred or other strategies of cardenolide tolerance have been developed.
Received 15 May 2000; accepted 29 June 2000 相似文献
17.
Summary. Induction of secondary metabolites to herbivore damage is a widespread phenomenon among plants and serves to enhance resistance
by reducing suitability or increasing toxicity of foliage. Post-damage responses of primary metabolites are less well known;
reductions in primary metabolites may increase resistance by decreasing palatability or nutritional suitability for herbivores
or by potentiating toxicity of secondary metabolites. In this study, we examined response to simulated herbivory in Pastinaca sativa, the wild parsnip, in both primary and secondary metabolites. We found that induction of secondary metabolites in response
to damage is largely restricted to a single class of compounds, the furanocoumarins. These prooxidant compounds are known
to be toxic to a wide variety of insect herbivores. The only primary metabolite that responded to damage was total soluble
protein, which increased significantly 24 h after damage. After 24 h, the correlation between total furanocoumarins and total
sugars was significant and negative (r = − 0.697). This correlation likely reflects an independent response of sugar to damage,
rather than a diversion of resources into furanocoumarin production, inasmuch as this correlation at 3 h, after furanocoumarin
induction had taken place, was not significant. In other secondary metabolite pathways, damage produced a significant decline
in farnesene and a C-16 unsaturated fatty acid, 7,10,13-hexadecatrienoic acid, each of which may potentiate the furanocoumarin
defense response. Farnesene may enhance photooxidative activation of the furanocoumarins and 7,10,13-hexadecatrienoic acid
may serve as a precursor to jasmonic acid, a key hormone in regulating induction responses. With few key exceptions, quantities
of both primary and secondary metabolites in wild parsnip foliage are unaffected by damage. Those that are affected may well
play a role in resistance of parsnips to herbivores.
Received 1 July 1998; accepted 28 September 1998. 相似文献
18.
Corina Oldenburg Sudha Kanaujia Dieter Spiteller Neil J. Oldham Wilhelm Boland Karl-Ernst Kaissling 《Chemoecology》2001,11(4):183-190
Summary. Benzoic acid is a known stimulant of olfactory receptor cells in trichoid sensilla on the antennae of adult females of Bombyx mori. Exposure of freshly excised antennae, from B. mori females and males, to vapours of [14C]-benzoic acid revealed that the adsorbed acid is rapidly metabolized (15% conversion in 10 s), suggesting the presence of
a highly active enzymatic system. The major product could be identified as N-benzoylserine by use of [2H5]-benzoic acid, and mass spectrometry linked to a gas chromatograph (GC-MS) or a liquid chromatograph (LC-MS), for analysis
of the metabolites. The conjugation of benzoic acid with an amino acid apparently represents a novel mode for the rapid deactivation
of odorant molecules.
Received 26 March 2001. 相似文献
19.
Summary. Workers of the amblyoponine species Mystrium rogeri employ trail communication during recruitment to food sources and new nest sites. The trail pheromone originates from a hitherto
unknown sternal gland located in the 7th abdominal sternite. The recruiting ant deposits the gland secretions by a special
gaster-dragging behavior. The recruitment behavior can be complemented by a rapid vertical body shaking performed by some
recruiting ants inside the nest. M. rogeri workers possess a large pygidial gland, the secretion of which elicits a repellent response in other ant species.
Received 25 May 1998; accepted 15 June 1998. 相似文献
20.
Patrizia D''Ettorre Christine Errard Fernando Ibarra Wittko Francke Abraham Hefetz 《Chemoecology》2000,10(3):135-142
Summary. The dulotic queen ant, Polyergus rufescens, must first penetrate a host colony and kill the resident queen in order to successfully founding a new colony. Successful
usurpation by a newly mated queen predictably depends on a dual strategy. Although, it can sneak in by being “chemically insignificant”
with respect to cuticular hydrocarbons, it may also need to deter prospective host-worker aggressors. Chemical analysis of
Dufour's gland secretion of P. rufescens queens and workers by GS/MS revealed that queen secretion is typified by esters of butanoic acid and acetic acid, of which
decyl butanoate comprises over 80%. Butanoates and acetates are also present in the workers' secretion, but these are of higher
molecular weight, and octadecyl butanoate represents the major compound. Using synthetic mixtures of queen and worker Dufour's
gland, we tested the hypothesis that these secretions modify the aggressive behavior of the host species Formica cunicularia>. The queen-like synthetic mixture significantly reduced aggression of the host workers towards alien conspecifics, but neither
pentane nor the worker-like synthetic mixture showed this effect. Although Dufour's gland content of >Polyergus queens was suggested to function as an appeasement pheromone (Topoff et al. 1988; Mori et al. 2000), we hypothesized that it may in fact act as a repellent. In order to test this hypothesis we exposed starved F. cunicularia workers to a droplet of honey on a glass slide applied with one of the following compounds: decyl butanoate (queen major
compound), octadecyl butanoate (worker main compound), limonene (a reported ant repellent), and pentane (solvent control).
Of these, the workers were repelled only by the decyl butanoate and did not approach the honey. We conclude that during usurpation
the queen actively repels aggressive workers by emitting Dufour's gland repellent, comprising the alternative tactic in the
usurpation dual strategy. This represents another chemical weapon in the diverse arsenal used by parasites to overcome the
host's resistance.
Received 7 April 2000; accepted 17 May 2000 相似文献